Switzerland, a well-kept wine secret
Switzerland produces around 1 million hectolitres of wine per year across 15,000 hectares of vineyards. Notable: 98% of production is consumed in Switzerland, with little exportation.
Main wine regions
Vaud (Lavaux, Côte, Chablais)
- 3,800 hectares
- King grape: Chasselas (80% of production)
- Lavaux: UNESCO, terraces between Lausanne and Vevey
- AOCs: Calamin and Dézaley (premium wines)
- Style: mineral, elegant Chasselas, ideal aperitif and fondue
Valais (largest vineyard)
- 5,000 hectares
- Emblematic grape: Fendant (Chasselas), Petite Arvine, Cornalin
- 60+ grapes cultivated (Switzerland's most diverse)
- Stony, dry soils, continental climate
- Flagship wines: Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne, Païen, Heida (Visperterminen wines, Europe's highest vineyard)
Ticino
- 1,100 hectares
- King grape: Merlot (red)
- Mediterranean climate, volcanic soils
- Wines: Merlot Riserva (18+ months aged), Bondola
Geneva
- 1,400 hectares
- Grapes: Chasselas, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Aligoté, Sauvignon Blanc
- AOCs: Mandement, Entre Arve et Rhône, Entre Arve et Lac
German Switzerland (Zurich, Schaffhausen, Aargau, St. Gallen)
- 2,500 hectares total
- Grapes: Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder), Müller-Thurgau, Räuschling
- Räuschling: Zurich's historic grape
Neuchâtel
- 600 hectares
- Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chasselas, Œil de Perdrix (rosé)
- Speciality: mineral Pinot Noir, lively Chasselas
Graubünden
- 400 hectares
- Bündner Herrschaft: prestigious appellation in canton's north
- Pinot Noir: among the best in Switzerland (Donatsch, Studach, Liesch domains)
Emblematic grapes
Chasselas (Fendant)
- King white grape of French Switzerland
- Light, mineral, low acidity
- Ideal aperitif, fish, fondue
- Dry or semi-dry
Petite Arvine
- Emblematic white grape of Valais
- Aromatic, salty, rich
- Perfect aperitif and fine fish
Cornalin
- Native red grape of Valais
- Intense colour, fruity, spicy
- Good with red meat, game
Humagne (Red and White)
- Historic grape of Valais
- Humagne Rouge: robust, black fruits
- Humagne Blanche: ample, rich
Ticino Merlot
- Largest grape of Ticino
- Supple, fruity, approachable
- Riserva for connoisseurs
Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder)
- Most cultivated red grape in German Switzerland and Neuchâtel
- Elegant, silky, mineral
- Excellent Pinots in Graubünden and Schaffhausen
Cellar visits and festivals
Open Cellars (May)
- First weekend of May: French-Switzerland cellars open
- Free or small-fee tastings (~CHF 5/cellar)
- Lavaux, Valais, Geneva, Neuchâtel regions
- Designated driver mandatory (otherwise roads saturated)
Fête des Vignerons (Vevey)
- Every 20–25 years, next ~2040
- UNESCO show
Harvest Markets (autumn)
- Russin (GE), Cully (VD), Hauterive (NE)
- Entertainment, tastings, dining
Vinea (Sierre, September)
- Largest Swiss wine fair
- 1,200+ wines for tasting over 3 days
- Tastings CHF 25–45/day
Buying Swiss wine
Direct from winemaker
- Lowest price + best quality
- Possible year-round
- Open Cellars May: ideal occasion
Wine cooperatives
- Provins (VS), Uvavins (VD), Cave de Genève
- Good quality at fair prices
Independent cellars / shops
- Mövenpick, Globus, Manor Vin: wide selection
- Specialist independent cellars: expert advice
Supermarkets
- Coop, Migros, Manor: entry to mid-range
- Aldi, Lidl: cheaper entry-level Swiss wines
Indicative prices (75cl bottle)
- Supermarket entry: CHF 7–12
- Good IGP: CHF 12–25
- Quality AOC: CHF 20–45
- Grand cru, premier cru: CHF 30–80
- Top selected wines (Lambelet, Pommer, Provins): CHF 60–200+
- Dézaley grand cru Calamin: CHF 25–50
- Graubünden Pinot Noir selection: CHF 30–90
Swiss food-wine pairings
- Fondue: Valais Chasselas or Fendant
- Raclette: Valais Fendant, or beer
- Perch fillets: fresh Chasselas, Petite Arvine
- Bündnerfleisch: Graubünden Pinot Noir
- Ticino dishes: Ticino Merlot
- Dessert: late-harvest Petite Arvine, Valais Marc
Tips
- Explore Open Cellars: best introduction to Swiss wines
- Visit Lavaux UNESCO vineyards: walk between Lutry and Saint-Saphorin
- Try native Valais wines: Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne
- Graubünden Pinot Noir: lesser-known but excellent value
- Don't drink only Chasselas: Switzerland has 250+ grape varieties
- Learn Italian wine vocabulary in Ticino: different terminology
- Follow Vinea Sierre to discover 1,200 wines in a day
